Before You Buy

Acura MDX: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Entry Luxury 3-Row SUV · SUV

MSRP Range$51,800–$75,850
A black 2026 Acura MDX parked in a suburban driveway with a roof-mounted cargo box, shot candidly in late-afternoon light.
Engine3.5L V6, 290 hp, 267 lb-ft
Engine (Type S)3.0L turbo V6, 355 hp, 354 lb-ft
Fuel Economy (FWD)22 mpg combined
Fuel Economy (AWD)21 mpg combined

Our Verdict

Based on model-specific reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Consider
78/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • iSeeCars ranks it well above the industry average for reaching 250,000 miles despite its transmission-failure reputation
  • 290-hp V6 (355-hp turbo V6 on Type S) with real towing and 3-row capability
  • Strong CPO program value backed directly by Acura

Cons

  • $571/year RepairPal baseline is the highest of the Acura/Lexus vehicles in this batch
  • Transmission failure is a well-documented historical weak point — confirm service history on any used example
  • 19-22 mpg combined is thirsty for the segment, and the Type S turbo drops to 19 mpg

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

iSeeCars' longest-lasting-SUV study still ranks the MDX well above the industry average for reaching 250,000 miles — the lowest-ranked model on that list is still nearly double the industry's 4.8% baseline — and owners commonly report examples well past 200,000 miles.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

55/100

Livable, but the complexity or running costs here reward buyers who already have some ownership experience.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on model-specific reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Oil changes, tire rotations

60,000 miles

Brake pads and rotors

100,000 miles

Transmission fluid service — earlier MDX generations (2001-2005, and isolated later-year complaints) have a documented torque-converter shudder/failure pattern in this range

150,000 miles

Suspension bushings and timing components

200,000+ miles

Well-maintained examples commonly surpass 200,000 miles, with some owner reports past 400,000

What It Actually Costs to Own

The MDX's biggest documented risk is transmission failure — heavily concentrated in the 2001-2005 generation, with the safest used years generally cited as 2006-2009, 2011-2013, 2015, and 2018-2020. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a transmission fluid/shudder check is worth the $100-$200 on any used MDX.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$2,020
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,680
Estimated Annual Maintenance$500
Estimated Annual Repairs$571
Estimated Annual Registration$300
5-Year Depreciation~50% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine3.5L V6, 290 hp, 267 lb-ft
Engine (Type S)3.0L turbo V6, 355 hp, 354 lb-ft
Fuel Economy (FWD)22 mpg combined
Fuel Economy (AWD)21 mpg combined
DrivetrainFWD or AWD (SH-AWD)
Seating7 passengers, 3 rows

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Acura MDX, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific MDX, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

Similar Vehicles

A silver 2026 Lexus RX parked outside an upscale suburban shopping center in soft overcast daylight, shot in a candid three-quarter angle.
Buy
Entry Luxury Midsize SUV

2026 Lexus RX

$49,725–$62,045

82
A gray 2026 Toyota Highlander parked in front of a suburban house on a sunny afternoon, shot candidly with kids' sports equipment visible nearby.
Buy
Midsize 3-Row SUV

2026 Toyota Highlander

$39,000–$50,000

87
A dark blue 2026 Kia Telluride parked outside a school pickup line in daylight, shot candidly with a family loading kids into the back.
Buy
Midsize 3-Row SUV

2026 Kia Telluride

$36,890–$48,000

81

Sources: RepairPal model score (4.0) and annual repair cost ($571): deep-research-report-car-buying-guide.md, entry-luxury section. iSeeCars longest-lasting-SUV ranking context (250k-mile probability vs. 4.8% industry average): supplemental web research, verified July 2026 (iseecars.com longest-lasting-cars-study). 2026 MSRP by trim ($51,800-$75,850), V6/Type S turbo-V6 powertrains, and EPA fuel economy: supplemental web research, verified July 2026 (acura.com, edmunds.com). Transmission-failure history and years-to-avoid guidance (2001-2005 generation; safest years 2006-2009, 2011-2013, 2015, 2018-2020): supplemental web research, verified July 2026 (rohnertparktransmission.com, mcgrathacuralibertyville.com) — flagged explicitly as a used-market risk concentrated in older generations, not the current model.